Air operated sealant dispenser



July 5, 1960 M. w. LlNDsAY K AIR QPERATED sEALANT DISPENSER nited This invention relates to what are generally referred to as caulking guns and it has reference more particularly to 1mprovements in such guns from which the caulking compound is ejected by the controlled movement of a piston or ram that is powered by air under pressure.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved form of caulking gun of the above kind or character comprising, at one end, a cylindrical housing that is designed to receive a tubular cartridge of the selected caulking compound, and at its other end comprising an air cylinder that is releasably or disconnectably joined end to end with said cylindrical housing and which contains a ram that is adapted to be actuated by air under pressure as admitted to the cylinder under positive control by the user of the gun thus to force the ram into one end of the cartridge and cause the ejection of caulking material from the cartridge through a discharge nozzle at the end of the cartridge containing housing.

More specifically stated the objects and advantages of the present invention reside in the following: In the provision of a cylindrical housing, for the reception of the cartridge of compound, which has an end plate formed with a discharge opening to which the discharge nozzle is connected, and which end plate also is designed to eect an automatic seal with the end of the cartridge about its discharge opening, under force of the ejecting pressure applied by the ram; in the provision of a cartridge containing cylinder or housing so designed as to easily receive the cartridge of caulking compound therein and to contain it in such manner yas to prevent any contact of the compound with the parts of the gun except as it passes through the nozzle and outlet in the end plate to which it is attached; in the provision of a quickly releasable coupling means between the -air cylinder and cartridge containing cylinder that facilitates the loading of the cartridges into the device and their removal there-v from; in the provision of an air control valve of novel form and a hand lever for manual control of the valve that is positioned for its actuation by the hand in which the gun is held for use.

Further objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and combination of the Various parts, and in their mode of use as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the present gun with certain parts broken away and others shown in section for a Abetter showing and understanding of the gun.

v Fig. 2 is a top view of the air cylinder portion of the gun, a part of the air valve control lever being broken .away for better understanding of its formation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail, taken substantially along line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

arent* Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the cartridge cylinder taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of the air cylinder control valve as connected with the valve control lever.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail of a part of the end plate of the cartridge chamber.

Since the present device is adapted for the dispensing of various plastic substances for various purposes, it probably could have been more properly designated as a sealant dispenser. However, the name given it in ordinary usage, will be used in the following description.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present device is designed primarily to be used for the application of a plastic caulking compound to joints, seams or cracks. It is of such dimensions that it can conveniently be held for use in one hand, and with the thumb of that hand extending over and positioned to regulate the movement of the air valve control lever. A gun presently being made is approximately twelve inches long and approximately two inches in diameter. However, these dimensions may be varied or changed to meet the requirements of use or desires.

As shown in Fig. l, the present gun comprises what will be hereinafter referred to as the air cylinder; this being designated in its entirety by reference numeral 10. It also comprises what will hereinafter be designated as the cartridge holding cylinder, this being designated in its entirety by reference numeral 11. These cylindrical parts 10 and 11 are of the same diameter and are normally joined end to end, as shown in Fig. l, by a quick releasing or joining connection in the form of a collar 12 that has one end portion thereof threaded onto the air cylinder 10, as at 13, and which has its other end portion extended beyond the cylinder 10 to receive the adjacent end portion of the cylinder 11 therein in an interlocked joint that forms a sealed and secure connection.

The cartridge holding cylinder 11 has an outer end wall 15 formed with a centrally located circular opening 16. Contained within this end of the cylinder, and seated flatly against the end wall 15 is a at plate 17 of the full diameter of the cylinder. This plate is fixed in place as seen in Fig. l, by means of a plurality of screws 18 that are extended inwardly through holes in the end wall of the cylinder and are threaded into the plate.

The plate 17 lis formed centrally with a short discharge spout 19 that projects through the opening 16 in the end wall of the cylinder and into which spout a nozzle 20 is threaded as seen in Fig. l. Nozzles may be of various forms depending on the particular use for which they are to be used.

The cartridge 21 which contains the caulking cornpound is of cylindrical form and its body portion has a diameter that permits the cartridge to be easily tted in the cylinder 11. At its outer or discharge end the cartridge is closed by a countersunk sheet metal wall 22 that is seamed onto the body, as at 23. This end wall is formed with a central opening 24 that registers with the discharge opening through plate 17. The opening is bounded by an outwardly curled portion of the metal and this curled rim is seated in a counter bored recess or sink 25 about the outlet leading through spout 19. Immediately adjacent and encircling the discharge opening, the plate is formed with a sharpened ridge 26 as shown in Fig. 6. This ridge bites into the end wall when discharging pressure is applied against the caulking compound, as presently explained, thus to effect a sealed connection that prevents the compound from being forced into the space between the inner face of plate 17 and end wall 22 of the cartridge.

It has been shown in Figs. l and 3 that the end plate 1'7 against which the end wall 22 of the cartridge seats, is

3 relieved about its periphery, as at 17x, to receive the flange 23 of the cartridge.

The inner end of the cartridge 21 terminates substantially even with the end of the cylinder 11, as `shownin Fig. l, and it is closed at that end by an internal slip iit closure plate or plug 30 with 'sur-rounding flange `311 that iits the inside of the cartridge.

That end of the air cylinder which is equipped with the collar 12 has a flat closure plate 35 tted therein, as shown in Fig. l. Reciprocally contained in the cylinder 10 is a piston 36 to which one end of a-piston rod 37 is fixed. The rod 37 extends through the plate 35 and at its end mounts a pad 38. When the parts of the gun are assembled, as has been shown in Fig. l, the pad 38 is disposed iatly against the end closure 30 of the cartridge, and the piston 36 is then disposed adjacent the valve equipped end of the air cylinder.

The control valve mechanism for the gun is seen in Fig. 1 wherein it is shown that the end of the air cylinder is closed by a cap 39 that is threaded thereonto. The cap includes, at its outer end, an integral block 40. Directed into this block from its under and top sides, respectively, in axial alignment as seen in Fig. 5, are bores 41 and 42. These bores are counter bored at their inner ends to provide short continuing passages 43 and 44 from which channels 45 and 46 lead into the adjacent end of the air cylinder. An exhaust port 47 opens from passage 42 to atmosphere, and an air hose fitting 48 is threaded into the bore 41 to which fitting a supply hoseV for air under pressure may be connected.

Extending between the inner ends of the bores 41 and 42 is a coaxial bore 50 and fitted for reciprocal movement therein is a valve stem 51 which at its lower end mounts a disk valve 52 adapted to seat against the annular shoulder between the joining ends of the bore 41 and smaller bore 43 to close the passages. At its upper end the stem 51 has an enlargement 54 fitted reciprocally in the bore 42 and extending upwardly therefrom. At its upper end the enlargement 54 is pivotally connected as at 55 to a Valve actuating lever 5-6 that extends alongy the top of cylinder 10 as seen in Fig. l; the pivotal connection being spaced frornthe end of the lever. At one end the lever 56 is pivotally connected by a link 60 to a vertical rib 61 formed on the end block 40. The free end of the lever 56 extends along the top of cylinder 10 substantially to the collar 12. When this cylinder 10 is grasped by the hand about the cap 39 or adjacent thereto, the thumb of that hand is extended along or across the lever to be used to press -the lever inwardly to thus unseat the valve 52 and admit air under pressure to the cylinder through passages 43 and 45, and move the piston 36 inwardly and effect the inward movement of the closure 30 in the cartridge to effect the dispensing of compound from the cartridge through the nozzle 20. When the valve stem is moved downwardly to open Valve 52, the exhaust pas- Vsage 47 is closed off by the lower end portion of the part 54 which closes against the annular shoulder between the joined ends of bores 42 and 44.

When downward pressure against lever 56 is relieved, the pressure of air against the valve 52 returns it to closed position, and air that is trapped in the cylinder is permitted to be exhausted through passages 46 and 4'7. So long as the valve 52 is held open, compound will be expelled from the cartridge at a rate determined by the advancing movement of the closure 38 into the cartridge.

When the cartridge 21 has been emptied, the cartridge enclosing cylinder 11 is disconnected from cylinder `10 and the empty cartridge removed therefrom and replaced by a filled cartridge.

In order to provide for the quick and easy connection and disconnection of the cylinders 10 and 11, the cylinder 11 is formed at opposite sides at its inner end with outturned flanges 63-6-3, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each of which extends about 1A, the circumference of the cylinder. Each of these 'iianges presents a beveled end surface 63 as seen in Fig. 3. The end portion of the connecting collar 12 that is to receive the end of the cylinder 11 is formed interiorly with an encircling channel as at 65. From this channel to its end the collar 12 is formed interiorly with passages, as at 68 in Fig. 4, through which the anges 60 of the cylinder 11 may be passed into and from the channel 65. When they have been passed into the channel, as seen in Fig. 3, then the cylinders are turned axially to .move the flanges 63-63 to be clamped against a beveled peripheral surface 35x of the closure plate 35 applied to cylinder 10. Thus, the holding connection is made. Only a slight turn back of the collar 12 is required to release the anges to permit the relative rotative adjustment of the two cylinders that is required for disconnecting them.

With the parts of the device so constructed and assembled, the dispensing of the caulking or sealant material from a cartridge is easily performed and can be accurately regulated by the valve opening and closing movements effected under control of the lever 56.

Caulking material, or whatever the sealant being used may be, can be changed at any time desired without necessitating the cleaning of the cylinders; it being required only that the cylinder 11 be disconnected, the cartridge 21 'removed therefrom and replaced by one of desired kind. vCartridges are inexpensive and are economically disposable. Furthermore, they may be made in different lengths to provide different amounts as, for example, from 1 to 7 ounces.

One of the outstanding features of this sealant dispensing gun resides in the materially increased pressure that may be obtained on the sealant over the amount of air pressure employed; `this being made possible by reason of the larger diameter of the air piston over that piston or plunger employed in the cartridge. Thus, it is possible to deliver the same amount of sealant per minute with less air pressure as is now being delivered by larger cornpetitive guns. The saving in air consumption, plus faster delivery of sealant, plus the possibility of delivering heavier products, and the possibility of increasing delivery pressures even to greater extent by reducing cartridge diameter, are still funther advantageous features of the present dispenser.

Furthermore, the 'increased pressure ratio makes possible the control of the pressure on the plunger that dispenses the sealant by means of an air regulator and the operator can control ow regardless of type Aor size of nozzle.

WhatI claim as new is:

l. A sealant dispenser of the character described comprising, in combination, a cylindrical container that is open Vto its full diameter at its inner end and is equipped at its outer end with a closure member formed with a central discharge opening, a cylindrical sealant containing cartridge slidably fitted within said cylindrical container coaxially thereof, said cart-ridge extending substantially the full length of the cylindrical container and having an outer end wall formed with a discharge port seated in a Vnon-leaking connection yagainst the closure member with its discharge opening in registration with the discharge opening of said .closure member, an air cylinder equipped with means at its inner endwhereby it is releasa-bly fixed at that end to the open inner end of said cylindrical container, in coaxial alignment therewith, a piston contained in said air cylinder, a rod extending from the piston, a plunger litted within the adjacent end of said sealant containing cartridge for advancement'by said piston rod, an air valve at the outer end of the air cylinder, equipped forconnec'tion with a source of supply 'of 'airunder pressure, and a handle for adjusting Asaid air valve for controlled admittance of air under pressure to the cylinder to eiiect the movement of said piston and Iextending of said ro'd for the 'advancement of the 'plunger into said cartridge and a forcible ejection of sealant from thecartridge through said registered end openings of cartridge and container closure member.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said 'air cylinder has la closure plate fitted therein at its inner end and projecting slightly therefrom; said projecting portion being formed with an inwardly beveled peripheral surface, and wherein the open inner end of said cylindrical container is conically flared land provides a seat -fo-r said beveled peripheral surface, and wherein said means for releasably joining the cylindrical container and air cylinder comprises a collar that is rotatable about and retains the dared end portion of said container therein land which has a threaded connection with the end of the vai-r cylinder whereby the beveled sur- :face of its closure plate may be drawn against the conically flared end surface of the cylindrical container.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 'wherein the inner end of said air cylinder is fitted with a closure disk through which said piston rod extends and which projects from the cylinder `and has an inwardly beveled peripheral edge and wherein the inner end of said cylindrical container is conically ared to provide a beveled seat the-rein seating said beveled edge surface of the closure disk; said ared portion being cut away at regular intervals about the container thus to provide a plural-ity of separated anchoring Wings; and rwherein said releasable means for joining the cylindrical container and air cylinder in end to end relationship comprises a collar that is formed interiorly lwith an encircling groove and is interiorly threaded `from said groove to one end thereof and is provided interiorly with passages leading lengthwise thereof `from its other end into said encircling groove for passing the collar over said anchor Wings to seat them in said encircling groove Iand to engage said beveled seat against the beveled edge of the closure disk and to provide for tightening them together by threading the air cylinder into said collar.

4. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein the closure member of said cylindrical container is formed on its inner surface and concentrically surrounding said discharge opening, with an inwardly projecting and sharpened annular ridge against which the end Wall of the sealant containing cartridge engages in a nonleaking joint under effecting pressure applied by the `air cylinder.

5. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein the closure member of the cylindrical container is formed about the discharge opening at its outer side with a neck to which a dispensing nozzle is applied, and is formed in its inner face, concentrically about the discharge opening with a countersunk seat; land immediately about the countersunk seat with a projecting annular, sharpened ridge which concentrically yencircles the opening and against which the end wall of the cartridge is adapted to be pressed under dispensing force of said plunger to provide a sealed joint.

6. A sealant dispenser of the character described comprising, in combination, a cylindrical container, open at its inner end and equipped at its outer end with a sealant discharge nozzle, a cylindrical sealant containing cartridge disposed in the container, open at one end and formed with 'a discharge port at its other end in direct communication with said nozzle, an air cylinder equipped with means `at its inner end whereby it is releasably fixed at that end to the open end of the container in axial alignment therewith, a piston in the Iair cylinder, a rod extending therefrom, a plunger fixed on the rod and fitted in the open end of said cartridge, an air valve at the outer end of the air cylinder equipped for connection with a source of air under pressure, and a valve operating handle extending along the cylinder, in position for its operation by the same hand in which the air cylinder is grasped; the surface area of said piston lagainst which air under pressure acts, Ibeing greater than that of said plunger which acts to eject the sealant.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said air valve comprises a passage for the admittance of operating air to the air cylinder and an exhaust passage for the escape of operating air from the cylinder, and a valve member that is movable Iby said handle to close the exhaust passage incident to the opening of the air inlet passage; said valve mem-ber being subject to the pressure of operating air lfrom Iautomatic return to closed position upon release of the handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,555,711 Hershinger Sept. 29, 1925 1,659,950 Gordrnan Feb. 21, 1928 1,812,643 Albertine June 30, 1931 2,038,761 Rotter et al Apr. 28, 1936 2,081,163 Barks et al. May 25, 1937 2,137,740 Gray Nov. 22, 1938 2,373,774 Murnane Apr. 17, 1945 2,605,763 Smoot Aug. 5, 1952 2,692,706 Wiksten Oct. 26, 1954 2,838,210 Detrie et al. June 10, 1958 

